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Protocol for the Import of Ratites from Canada for Immediate Slaughter 

APHIS VS National Import and Export Services

October, 2019

I. General requirements: for importations of ratites from Canada going directly to a 

slaughter establishment.

1.1 Canadian Residency: Ratites are considered Canadian origin if they were hatched 

and raised in Canada OR were legally imported upon arrival in Canada, underwent 28

days of Canadian quarantine and remained in Canada for an additional 60 days following 

completion of quarantine. 

1.2 Ratites from Canada can be imported without quarantine.

1.3 There are limited ports along the U.S. and Canadian border which are allowed to 

receive ratites for immediate slaughter. Ports of entry from Canada are found in 9 CFR -

93.203 (b). A web link to US limited ports is listed Here

 1.4 An import permit is not required when entering the US via a land border port.

1.5 Confirmation of availability at the port of entry should be discussed with APHIS VS 

port veterinarian 72 hours prior to arrival at the port of entry. 

II. Identification and Documentation:

2.1 Identification is not needed for ratites from Canada.

2.2 Two copies of a declaration is required. The declaration must list: port of entry, 

name and address of importer, name and address of the broker, origin of the ratites, 

number and type of birds, purpose of the import, and location of slaughter establishment.

2.3 Health certificates:

i. Should be issued by a Canadian practicing veterinarian and endorsed by the 

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). 

ii. Must contain the following health statements:

a. Ratites covered under this health certificate were inspected by the 

veterinarian issuing the certificate.

b. Ratites were not vaccinated against any H5 or H7 subtype of avian 

influenza.

c. The ratites have been vaccinated against Newcastle disease (avian 

paramyxovirus) at least 21 days prior to

export, using vaccines that do not contain any velogenic strains of 

Newcastle disease virus.

OR

Ratites have not been vaccinated against Newcastle disease. (strike and 

initial out that which does not apply).

d. There was no evidence of avian communicable disease found among the ratites 

being shipped.

e. The premises where the ratites were exported from were not adjacent to any areas 

under quarantine during the 88 days preceding the exportation.
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f. Ratites were either born in Canada; or legally imported and then have 

resided in Canada for at least 88 consecutive days.

g. The ratites were placed in new or appropriately sanitized bedding for 

shipment to the United States at the premises where the flock of origin 

was kept.

2.4 The lead vehicle in a convoy of the same animals must have an original signed 

document for the animals in the entire convoy. Each vehicle following the lead 

vehicle in the convoy with ratites for immediate slaughter must have separate 

signed copies of the documentation for animals on those vehicles.

III. Inspection at the port of entry:

3.1 The APHIS VS port veterinarian will conduct a visual examination of the birds to 

determine that they are free of ectoparasites, or clinical signs that ectoparasites may be 

present.

3.2 Review of the health certificate which may contain strikeouts made and initialed by 

CFIA authorities or the veterinarian who issued the certificate.

3.3 The port vet must seal the containers and add the seal numbers to import documents

as listed below. Any animals that are recumbent and appear to be unable to walk should 

be refused entry on an individual animal basis. The driver should then safely return 

across the border for animals to be reloaded, where the dead or downed animals get 

removed. 

3.4 The port veterinarian may refuse individual animals or the entire shipment at his/her 

discretion, with consideration given to factors such as the level of ectoparasitism, clinical 

signs of disease, broken seals, and animal welfare issues. If individual animals are 

refused entry, the port veterinarian will document the reduced total numbers on the health 

certificate for the animal(s) refused entry. 

3.5 Trucks that return to Canada with refused entry animals, may return for re-inspection

3.6 If all of the requirements for entry have been met, the port veterinarian will seal the 

shipment with APHIS seals and issue a completed VS Form 17-30, ‘Report of Animals, 

Poultry or Eggs Offered for Importation’. The port veterinarian will also seal 

conveyances and issue a completed VS Form 17-33 (two copies) ‘Animals Imported for 

Immediate Slaughter’. The U.S. seal numbers will be written on the VS Form 17-33. 

3.7 The ratites for immediate slaughter must be imported to a slaughtering establishment 

approved by APHIS VS to receive these kinds of animals. The establishment should be 

approved by FSIS to receive animals that are imported direct to slaughter. 

IV. Post–entry procedures for Ratites:

4.1. The ratites must be moved directly from the port of entry to a slaughtering 

establishment authorized by APHIS VS to receive ratites from Canada for
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immediate slaughter, along an APHIS- approved route of transportation. The port 

vet should relay information about the shipment to the USDA representative at the 

receiving slaughter establishment and request follow up to the VS Form 17-33 as 

is referenced below. If any emergencies occur during transportation that would 

entail a delay in delivery or diversion from the specified route, the driver must 

notify APHIS VS port personnel for further instructions. 

4.2 Except for emergencies, seals applied by the port veterinarian may be broken 

only at the recognized slaughtering establishment by a USDA representative (e.g., 

an APHIS VS employee, an FSIS inspector, a State Representative, an accredited 

veterinarian or an employee of an accredited veterinarian, or the recognized 

slaughtering establishment (by a person who has been designated to perform the 

functions involved).

4.3 Inspection plant personnel will submit fully completed VS Forms 17-33 to the 

APHIS VS port veterinarian within 14 days of the ratites’ arrival at the recognized 

slaughtering establishment. If the fully completed VS Form 17-33 is not returned 

to the port veterinarian within 14 days, the port veterinarian should contact the 

recognized slaughter establishment. If the recognized slaughter establishment is 

not responsive to this follow-up request, the port veterinarian should contact the 

NIES office covering the area of the slaughter establishment, who will then 

contact the FSIS District Office. The VS Import/Export Coordinator should be 

copied on these communications.

V. Inquiries

Information on this import protocol should be directed to:

Strategy & Policy,

Live Animal - Avian Imports

USDA/ APHIS/VS

PH. 301/851-3300, Option #2

Fax: 301/734-6402